- When Windows 10 support ends on October 14, 2025, you can either upgrade to Windows 11 for full feature and security updates or enroll in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program to receive critical patches for one more year.
- Upgrading is the best long-term option, but ESU is useful if your device can’t run Windows 11 yet.
The end of life for Windows 10 is officially set for October 14, 2025, marking the end of mainstream support for one of Microsoft’s most widely used operating systems. After that date, devices running Windows 10 will no longer receive regular security updates, bug fixes, or technical support unless enrolled in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program.
If you’re still using Windows 10, you’re not alone in wondering: Should you upgrade to Windows 11 or stay on Windows 10 and enroll in the ESU program? The answer depends on your hardware compatibility, software requirements, budget, and comfort level with change.
Upgrading to Windows 11 ensures continued security updates, new features, and AI-powered improvements (on specific hardware), but not all older devices meet the system requirements. On the other hand, enrolling in the ESU program provides an additional year of critical security updates for Windows 10, giving you more time to plan your transition.
In this guide, I’ll break down the key differences between upgrading to Windows 11 and enrolling in Windows 10 ESU, which option is best for you, and what steps to take next to stay secure beyond October 2025.
Should I stay on Windows 10 using the ESU program?
The Extended Security Updates (ESU) program is technically a paid service that has been available for a long time to commercial customers. However, for the first time, Microsoft is also making it available to regular consumers.
For consumers, the program is available for devices running the latest version of Windows 10 Home, Pro, Pro Education, and Pro for Workstations, and you can enroll for free if you sign up with your Microsoft account and use the Windows Backup app to upload your files to the cloud or redeem 1000 points from your Microsoft Rewards program.
Alternatively, you can use the one-time purchase option to enroll your device.
Now, if you’re in Europe, you still have to use a Microsoft account, but you don’t have to upload your files to the cloud or redeem Microsoft Rewards points.
If you don’t want to use a Microsoft account, European users can opt for the paid option using a local account.
The primary purpose of the Extended Security Updates program is to provide critical security updates, and nothing else. When you enroll your device, you won’t receive updates to improve performance or compatibility, or fix bugs, and the computer won’t get new features.
It all means that even after signing up to the program, as time goes on, you’ll start to notice performance issues and compatibility problems with hardware and software.
When to enroll in the Windows 10 ESU program
This is a last resort option. You should only consider enrolling your computer in the ESU program if:
- Your computer can’t be upgraded to Windows 11.
- You rely on specific hardware or software that doesn’t work on Windows 11.
- You have a legitimate reason to delay the upgrade (for example, business continuity, legacy applications).
After October 14, 2025, devices using Windows 10 will continue to work normally. Actually, October 14 is the date of the last cumulative update, meaning that for some time, you can continue to use your computer with minimal risks.
However, also consider that eventually the manufacturer will start retiring driver support, and applications will also start losing support for Windows 10, even after enrolling in the ESU program.
Should I upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11?
Yes. If you have a device that meets the minimum hardware requirements, you should upgrade to Windows 11 as soon as possible.
I have personally been using Windows 11 since it was released in 2021, on my workstation and laptop, and I have been happy running this version of the operating system.
If you haven’t tried Windows 11 yet, it feels like a significant feature update for Windows 10, rather than a completely different version of the operating system.
Of course, the Taskbar is now aligned to the center, you’ll find new visual elements, and there are new features, but it’s more or less the same operating system.
I know that not everyone may feel the same, but switching from Windows 10 to Windows 11 doesn’t have a significant learning curve.
Although a lot of people don’t feel strongly about the new AI features on Windows 11, if you’re coming from Windows 10, you hardly have to worry about this, because most AI features require an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) to process the AI tasks, which is a piece of hardware that is usually not found in older pre-Windows 11 hardware.
At the end of the day, upgrading to Windows 11 is the best long-term solution for most users since it ensures your device continues to receive feature updates, performance improvements, and full security protection beyond October 14, 2025.
While the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10 provides temporary protection, Windows 11 represents the future of the desktop operating system, with modern technologies and ongoing development.
Windows 11 is an actively developed platform that receives new features, improvements, and security updates regularly. By upgrading, your computer will stay protected and compatible with evolving apps, drivers, and security standards. In contrast, Windows 10 ESU only delivers critical security fixes and nothing else.
The operating system enforces hardware-based security standards, such as TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. However, these features help protect against modern threats, including ransomware and firmware attacks, far more effectively than Windows 10.
Also, the newer version is optimized for the latest generation of Intel, AMD, and ARM processors, supporting improved power efficiency, neural processing units (NPUs), and faster connectivity options, such as Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth LE Audio.
When to upgrade to Windows 11
Windows 11 is your best option after the support of Windows 10 ends, and you should consider it if:
- Your computer meets the hardware requirements.
- You plan to keep using the same device for a long time.
- You want to secure the environment with the latest security technologies.
- You want to stay supported and receive bug fixes, improvements, and new features.
Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is free and a supported path. However, I recommend performing a clean installation of the operating system to update to a new version, minimizing errors and performance issues that may occur after the upgrade.
If your computer doesn’t meet the minimum requirements, you can still install the operating system on unsupported hardware. However, Microsoft doesn’t support this process, and your computer will be in an unsupported state, but it’s better than running a no longer supported operating system.
In short, upgrading to Windows 11 ensures you remain on a secure, future-proof operating system. While the Extended Security Updates program can temporarily extend Windows 10’s life, it’s only a stopgap solution. The sooner you transfer to Windows 11, the better your system’s stability, performance, and protection will be.
Are you upgrading to Windows 11 or staying on Windows 10? Let me know in the comments.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert and founder of Pureinfotech in 2010. With over 22 years as a technology writer and IT Specialist, Mauro specializes in Windows, software, and cross-platform systems such as Linux, Android, and macOS.
Certifications: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and CompTIA A+ and Network+.
Mauro is a recognized Microsoft MVP and has also been a long-time contributor to Windows Central.
You can follow him on YouTube, Threads, BlueSky, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].